Tuesday, October 30, 2012

EAST MEETS WEST

We feel privileged to have recently shared our home for a
visit from Jay and Janet Bailey, of Fair
Winds Farm, for a couple of days. The Baileys live in Vermont, own and operate
a horse-powered, organic market vegetable farm.
Like us, the Baileys also offer intensive, hands-on horse-powered workshops that teach people how to drive
and work horses in harness.

We and the Baileys both admire, own, and use Suffolk Punch Draft horses in our personal farm work and in our workshops. We had much to talk about with this love in common...our own horses, their tractability, their energy, their great minds, and current trends in breeding. It was a great time for the Baileys to learn about the other breed of horses we own and use on the ranch and in our workshops, Norwegian Fjord Horses.

The time together with the Baileys also gave the four of us the opportunity share, connect with resources, and network with each other about what opportunities, information and
activities we provide (and would like to provide for Workhorse Workshop students). We want to stay connected to help each other provide the best educational experience possible for all of our combined current and future students.

Jay and Janet were interested in local history and had not heard of spring-board notches. (Loggers in the early days cut springboard notchesinto which they could insert springboards which then could be used as platforms, allowing the loggers to stand and use their cross-cut saws to cut higher-up the base of the tree where the trunk is narrower.)
We spent some time hiking with them near the ranch to show them the remnants of the early logging in our area.

Of course, what is a visit among horse-friends without a little horse work? We shared a favorite activity with Jay and Janet....log skidding with Solven and Brisk, Norwegian Fjords, to get in a little firewood.

Doc and I consider the time spent with these great people valuable to not only enjoy their company, but also to exchange
ideas and to take time for recreation as well.

Thanks Baileys for taking the time to 'stop by and see us' at Doc Hammill Horsemanship, here in Montana.